Last year, Prema Racing was brand new to IndyCar, as was rookie driver Robert Shwartzman. His sixth career start came in IndyCar’s biggest race — the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500.
And that’s where the Israeli-born racer made history at the age of 25 when he bested two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato for pole position, recording a four-lap average of 232.790mph.
He was the first rookie to earn pole for the iconic race since Teo Fabi did it in 1983. Unfortunately, the race didn’t go as well. He led eight laps, but his Indy 500 dream came to an end after 87 laps following a scary pit road incident where he hit multiple Prema crew members and the wall.
Robert Shwartzman, Prema Racing
Photo by: Penske Entertainment
Still, he was ultimately named the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year for his shock pole, and went on to end the year 24th in the standings. And then Prema vanished from the grid, not returning for the 2026 season due to financial issues.
On the eve of qualifying for the 2026 Indy 500, Shwartzman reflected on the historic pole and missing out on the event this year. From his comments, it’s clear the former FIA Formula 3 champion hasn’t given up on his IndyCar dream.
“Those four laps in qualifying… honestly, nothing else even comes close. This place is just different, there’s nowhere else like it also for everything it demands from us drivers. Watching from the sidelines this year is pretty tough, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish I was back in the car. I’ll never take the chance I had to qualify and race here for granted. I hope to be back out there fighting for it again one day. Until then, I’ll be watching.”
He is the first defending pole-sitter to not even attempt the following year’s Indy 500 since Bruno Junqueira, who did not enter the event in 2003 after earning pole in 2002.
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